Collapsible table

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6823806
  • Patent Number
    6,823,806
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, October 16, 2002
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 30, 2004
    21 years ago
Abstract
A collapsible table includes an elongate table top having a substantially planar top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The bottom surface includes opposing elongate first and second side edges, an elongate first channel which is substantially parallel to the elongate first side edge, and an elongate second channel which is substantially parallel to the elongate second side edge. Projections, which are preferably integrally molded into the bottom surface, are disposed on opposing sides of each of the elongate first and second channels. A support frame is attached to the bottom surface of the table top which includes a first elongate tubular support member disposed in the elongate first channel, and a second elongate tubular support member disposed in the elongate second channel. The support frame also includes first and second pivotal leg assemblies, each having a tubular cross member pivotally attached between the first and second elongate tubular support members, and leg sections attached to the tubular cross members. The first and second projections in the bottom surface of the table top provide a snap fit to retain the first and second elongate tubular support members within the elongate first and second channels.
Description




FIELD




This invention relates to collapsible furniture. More particularly, the invention relates to a lightweight table having a blow-molded table top containing improved assembly and support features.




BACKGROUND




Collapsible or foldable tables are widely used in a number of applications, such as to provide temporary table space in multipurpose meeting rooms like banquet halls and hotel conference rooms. Collapsible tables are popular for such applications because they may be folded into a relatively flat package which provides for ease of storage between uses.




Prior collapsible table designs have been lacking in numerous respects. Some tables, such as those having table tops made of solid wood or particle board, are extremely heavy and unwieldy, causing difficulty in transport and setup. Such heavy tables can also cause severe damage or injury if dropped or mishandled during transport and/or use, as when they are set up and taken down. Lighter-weight table designs having a hollow core are easier to handle, but are not without challenges with regard to support and assembly. Tables having adequate support for the top surface are generally more complicated to assemble. Tables that are easier to assemble do not always provide suitable support for the table top and top surface.




What is needed, therefore, is a folding table which is sturdy, relatively light-weight, relatively easy to assemble, and has a relatively rigid and well-supported top surface.




SUMMARY




The above and other needs are provided by a collapsible table having an elongate table top that includes a substantially planar top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The bottom surface of the table top has opposing elongate first and second side edges and opposing end edges that are substantially perpendicular to the first and second side edges. The bottom surface also includes elongate first and second cylindrical channels that are adjacent and substantially parallel to the elongate first and second side edges. The elongate first and second cylindrical channels have first and second inside radii, respectively. Attached to the bottom surface of the table top is a support frame that includes first and second elongate cylindrical support members received within the elongate first and second cylindrical channels, respectively. The first and second elongate cylindrical support members have first and second outside radii that are equivalent to or slightly smaller than the first and second inside radii of the elongate first and second cylindrical channels. The support frame also has first and second pivotal leg assemblies, each having a cross member pivotally attached to and spanning a space between the first and second elongate cylindrical support members. The leg assemblies each include one or more leg sections attached to the cross member.




In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the collapsible table includes projections disposed on opposing sides of each of the elongate first and second channels. The first and second projections, which are preferably integrally molded into the bottom surface, provide a snap fit to retain the first and second elongate support members within the elongate first and second channels.




One advantage of the invention is that it provides a table that it is more robust and easier to assemble than conventional tables. Another advantage of a table made according to the invention is that the elongate first and second channels and the first and second projections enable repeatable capture of the support members on the bottom surface of the table top, so that assembly of the table may be completed with less variation in quality from table to table.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The above and other advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:





FIG. 1

is a top perspective view of a collapsible table illustrating features of a preferred embodiment of the invention;





FIG. 2

is a bottom plan view of an assembled collapsible table illustrating features of a preferred embodiment of the invention;





FIGS. 3 and 4

are perspective views of portions of a bottom surface of a collapsible table illustrating features of a preferred embodiment of the invention;





FIG. 5

is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a collapsible table illustrating features of a preferred embodiment of the invention;





FIGS. 6



a-b


are cross-section views of a portion of a support channel and cross member for a collapsible table illustrating features of preferred embodiments of the invention;





FIG. 7

is a plan view of a portion of the bottom surface of a table illustrating features of a preferred embodiment of the invention;





FIG. 8

is a cross-section perspective view of a portion of a collapsible table illustrating features of an alternative embodiment of the invention;





FIG. 9

is a cross-sectional view of a corner portion of a table illustrating features of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and





FIG. 10

is an elevation view of a portion of a cross-member and leg assembly illustrating features of a preferred embodiment of the invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




Referring now to

FIGS. 1-4

, there is generally depicted a collapsible table


10


according to the invention. The table


10


includes a table top section


12


having a substantially planar top surface


12




a


and an opposing bottom surface


12




b


(FIG.


2


). In the preferred embodiment, the table top


12


is formed from a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, by a molding process, such as blow molding. It is preferred that the table top


12


be substantially hollow, thereby decreasing the weight of the table


10


. Such a lightweight table top


12


is well suited for applications where ease of handling and transport are important. Although thermoplastic is the preferred material for the table top


12


, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the table top


12


could be formed of other materials, such as fiberglass or other composite materials, wood, or metal. Thus, the scope of the invention is not limited to any particular material or forming method for the table top


12


.




In a preferred embodiment, the table


10


has a substantially rectangular, elongate shape. It should be appreciated, however, that important features of the invention may be applied to tables having table tops that are square, circular, elliptical, or any other shape. Thus, the scope of the invention is not limited to any particular shape of the table top


12


.




As shown in

FIG. 1

, collapsible leg assemblies


24


and


26


are attached to the bottom of the table top


12


. The leg assemblies


24


and


26


, and their mounting structure for attachment and rotation with respect to the top


12


, are described in more detail hereinafter.




As depicted in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, the bottom surface


12




b


of the table top


12


includes elongate opposing first and second side edges


14


and


16


, and opposing elongate end edges


18


and


20


. As shown in

FIG. 3

, a main portion


22


of the bottom surface


12




b


is recessed with respect to the side and end edges. When the table


10


is in a storage configuration, the main portion


22


provides storage of the leg assemblies


24


and


26


generally between a plane defined by the side edges


14


and


16


and end edges


18


and


20


and the main part of the interior of the bottom surface


12




b


of the table top


12


. As described in more detail below, important features of the invention are provided in the main portion


22


of the bottom surface


12




b


of the table


10


.





FIG. 4

depicts a portion of the bottom surface


12




b


with other of the table components removed to more clearly show features of the bottom surface


12




b


. As shown in

FIG. 4

, an elongate first channel


28


is provided in the main portion


22


of the bottom surface


12




b


adjacent the side edge


14


. A similar elongate second channel


28


is provided in the main portion


22


adjacent the opposite side edge


16


, and running substantially parallel to the first channel


28


. Referring again to

FIGS. 2 and 3

, a support frame


30


, including first and second elongate tubular members


32


and


34


and elongate tubular cross members


36


and


38


, is provided as part of the structure that supports the table top section


12


in spaced relation above a floor or other support surface. Leg assemblies


24


and


26


, forming an additional part of this structure, are attached to the cross members


36


and


38


respectively. The cross members


36


and


38


are preferably rotatively received in and supported on the first and second elongate tubular members


32


and


34


to enable folding of the leg assemblies


24


and


26


with respect to the bottom surface


12




b.






In order to maintain the leg assemblies


24


and


26


in their unfolded or fully deployed position as shown in

FIG. 1

, brace assemblies


40


are preferably provided. Each of the brace assemblies


40


includes a pair of brace members


42


, a center support rod


44


, and a locking collar


45


. Each brace assembly


40


also includes a pivot bar


46


preferably disposed in a molded projection


48


located substantially in the center of the main portion


22


for pivotal movement of the center support rods


44


thereabout. Further details of a preferred embodiment of the brace assemblies


40


can be found in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/021,140, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth. It will be recognized that other constructions of the brace assemblies


40


may be provided without departing from the invention as set forth herein. The brace assemblies


40


are attached to leg portions


50


of leg assemblies


24


and


26


. The leg portions


50


are, in turn, attached to the tubular cross-members


36


and


38


for rotation therewith.




Although leg portions


50


and their associated cross members


36


and


38


are preferably joined together to move together as a unit with respect to the tubular members


32


and


34


, it is also within the scope of the invention that cross members


36


and


38


may be fixedly or non-rotatably connected to the tubular members


32


and


34


, and that the leg portions


50


then pivot upon the cross members


36


and


38


, or upon individual pivot blocks, thereby entirely eliminating the need for cross members


36


and


38


.




With reference now to

FIGS. 3 and 5

, further features of the support frame


30


will now be described. As set forth above, the leg assemblies


24


and


26


are preferably attached to the first and second elongate tubular support members


32


and


34


by means of the pivoting tubular cross members


36


and


38


. Each of the leg assemblies


24


and


26


, cross members


36


and


38


, and support members


32


and


34


may be constructed of a wide variety of materials, including, but not limited to, metal, wood, plastic, and the like. A preferred material for the support members


32


and


34


, leg assemblies


24


and


26


, and cross members


36


and


38


is metal that is painted or coated as desired for durability and aesthetics.




As shown in

FIG. 5

, the first and second elongate tubular support members


32


and


34


contain substantially circular apertures


52


adjacent the ends


54


thereof. The apertures


52


are specially designed to pivotally receive the distal or end portions


58


of the tubular cross members


36


and


38


. In that regard, the apertures


52


may extend entirely through the support members


32


and


34


. However, the invention is not limited to apertures extending completely through both sides of the support members


32


and


34


.




It is preferred that central portions


62


of the cross members


36


and


38


have a slightly larger outer diameter than that of the distal portions


58


, the latter of which are dimensioned to slidably receive thereon collars or bushings


64


. The bushings


64


preferably each have an inside diameter that may be the same as or slightly greater than the outer diameter of the distal portions


58


and less than the outer diameter of the central portion


62


. The distal portions


58


of the cross members


36


and


38


are therefore received within the bushings


64


, as depicted in

FIGS. 3

,


5


, and


6




a-b


. As shown in

FIGS. 3

,


5


, and


6




a-b


, the bushings


64


also act as spacers between shoulder portions


66


of the cross members


36


and


38


and the tubular support members


32


and


34


to maintain the position of cross members


36


and


38


between the tubular members


32


and


34


. As shown in

FIG. 5

, one end


68


of the collars


64


is preferably curved to conform substantially to the shape of the outer surface of the tubular support members


32


and


34


. Alternatively, the bushings


64


may be substantially cylindrical, not having a curved or shaped end


68


, and not extending into the apertures


52


. In any case, the bushings


64


maintain the cross members


36


and


38


in a substantially fixed lateral position relative to the first and second support members


32


and


34


as the leg assemblies


24


and


26


are folded and unfolded, thereby preventing back-and-forth rattling of the cross members


36


and


38


.




In an alternative embodiment, as depicted in

FIG. 6



a


(cross-section I—I in FIG.


2


), the bushings


64


may be configured with uniform inner and outer diameters to be inserted fully through the apertures


52


in the tubular support members


32


and


34


.




In a further alternative embodiment shown in

FIG. 6



b


, the bushings


64


may include a larger-diameter cylindrical part


69


having a shaped end


68


that conforms generally to the surrounding outer surface of tubes


32


and


34


. The shaped end


68


, which preferably abuts against the tubes


32


and


34


, transitions to a reduced-diameter cylindrical part


71


that is pivotally received through the apertures


52


. The reduced-diameter distal ends


58


of the cross members


36


and


38


therefore extend through and at least partially into the parts


71


that are received in the apertures


52


. Thus, in the embodiment of

FIG. 6



b


, the bushings


64


act as both spacers to maintain the lateral position of the cross-members


36


and


38


, and as reduced-friction supports for the ends


58


of the cross members


36


and


38


within the apertures


52


.




In all embodiments of the bushings


64


, they are preferably made of a resilient, substantially low friction material, including but not limited to molded or extruded friction-reducing plastic materials, such as fluoropolymeric materials and ultra high density polyolefinic materials, or relatively soft metals such as brass and aluminum.




As shown in

FIG. 4

, the channels


28


in the bottom surface


12




b


of the top


12


preferably have elongate cylindrical inside surfaces


72


, the inside radius of which is preferably equivalent to, or slightly larger than, the outside radius of the cylindrical support members


32


and


34


. The cylindrical inside surface


72


provides a location feature for precisely locating the support members


32


and


34


relative to the edge


14


and main portion


22


of the bottom surface


12




b


during assembly of the table


10


. Thus, the cylindrical inside surface


72


of the channels


28


facilitates the table assembly process by capturing the circular support members


32


and


34


in precise alignment and position with respect to each other and to the top


12


.




Other important features of the invention include bosses


74


and


76


which slightly extend over the channels


28


at longitudinally-staggered spaced-apart locations along the lengths of the channels


28


on opposing sides thereof. The bosses


74


and


76


, which are preferably molded into the bottom surface


12




b


of the table


12


, provide a further mechanism for precisely and securely locating the support members


32


and


34


relative to the main portion


22


and edges


14


of the bottom surface


12




b


. The bosses


74


and


76


also provide substantially reproducible assembly tolerances for the table top section


12


with respect to the support frame


30


. Variations in the distance of the support member


32


from the surface of the concave portion


74


are virtually eliminated by bosses


74


and


76


. As shown in

FIG. 7

, the bosses


74


urge the longitudinal axis


78


of the support members


32


and


34


in the direction of the arrows


80


, whereas the bosses


76


urge the longitudinal axis


78


of the support members


32


and


34


in substantially the opposite direction, as indicated by the arrow


82


. Thus, the bosses


74


and


76


provide a “snap-fit” of the support members


32


and


34


into the channels


28


. Once the support members


32


and


34


are snapped into the channels


28


, they may be attached to the table top section


12


as by inserting bolts or screws through the members


32


and


34


and into adjacent parts of the table top section


12


.




An alternative embodiment of the tubular support members


32


and


34


is depicted in FIG.


8


. As shown in

FIG. 8

, the tubular support members


32


and


34


may have a substantially D-shaped cross-section, i.e., a half-cylindrical section


86


and a flat section


88


. The D-shaped support members


32


and


34


have the advantage of providing a flat surface for receiving the ends of the cross members


36


and


38


and of reducing the lateral space occupied by the tubular support members


32


and


34


, thereby providing more available lateral space to receive the leg assemblies


24


and


26


when they are folded down into the storage position, as shown in FIG.


2


. They also resist downward bending forces by reason of flat sections


88


disposed generally parallel to such forces.




As a polymeric material is blow molded, stretched, and otherwise worked to form a table top, the corners of the table top may be or become thinner than central sections of the top. This can cause conventional hollow core or blow-molded table tops to tend to sag in the corners when a load is applied. Thus, a load applied in the corners of conventional tables is often not adequately supported. As described below, the table of the present invention overcomes this and other problems by providing a molded structure in each of the corners of the table top


12


to support the top surface


12




a


, even though the thickness of the material of the table top section


12


may be thinner adjacent the corners.




As depicted in

FIGS. 2

,


3


, and


9


, an inverted frustoconical indentation


104


is provided adjacent each corner


106


of the bottom surface


12




b


of the table top section


12


. The frustoconical indentation


104


is preferably generally kidney shaped. As shown in

FIG. 10

, an important feature of the indentation


104


is that there is preferably an absence of hollow space adjacent the indentation


104


, as there is in remaining portions of the table top section


12


. The shape of the indentation


104


and the depth D thereof provide a truss-like support for the top surface


12




a


adjacent the corners


106


of the table top


12


.




Yet another important feature of the invention is depicted in

FIGS. 3

,


4


, and


10


. The bottom surface


12




b


of the table top section


12


preferably includes cradles


110


molded therein. The cradles


110


each preferably include first and second sections


112


and


114


disposed adjacent and to either side of a channel section


116


. As shown in

FIG. 3

, the sections


112


and


114


of the cradles


110


are preferably disposed on opposing sides of cross members


34


and


36


so that the cross members


34


and


36


are received within the channel sections


116


. In the preferred embodiment, the inside radius of the channel section


116


is equivalent or slightly larger than the outer radius of the central portions of the cross members


34


and


36


, thereby allowing free rotation of the cross members


34


and


36


within the channels


116


as the leg assemblies


24


and


26


are rotated between folded and extended positions. While the cradles


110


are preferably formed integrally with the bottom surface


12




b


as by blow-molding, it will be recognized that the benefits and advantages of the cradles


110


may also be provided by structure formed separately from and attached to the bottom surface


12




b


of the table top


12


.




In the preferred embodiment, the cradles


110


provide support for the cross members


34


and


36


when a load is placed toward an edge of the top surface


12




a


of the table top


12


. As illustrated in

FIG. 10

, without the cradles


110


, when a heavy load is placed on the top surface


12




a


, particularly adjacent the edges, the cross members


34


and


36


tend to bow as shown by dotted lines in FIG.


10


. The cradles


110


are configured to provide an opposing downward force as indicated by arrow


116


adjacent the center of the cross members


34


and


36


. Hence, the cross members


34


and


36


are urged to remain substantially straight, as shown by the solid lines in FIG.


10


.




The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as is suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.



Claims
  • 1. A collapsible table comprising:an elongate table top having: a substantially planar top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the bottom surface having: opposing elongate first and second side edges; opposing end edges disposed substantially perpendicular to the first and second side edges; an elongate first channel which is substantially parallel to the elongate first side edge; an elongate second channel which is substantially parallel to the elongate second side edge; and first and second projections disposed on opposing sides of each of the elongate first and second channels; a support frame attached to the bottom surface of the table top, the support frame including: a first elongate tubular support member disposed in the elongate first channel; a second elongate tubular support member disposed in the elongate second channel; and first and second pivotal leg assemblies, each having: a tubular cross member pivotally attached to and spanning a space between the first and second elongate tubular support members; and one or more leg sections attached to the tubular cross member; and the first and second projections projecting outward from the bottom surface of the table top adjacent the elongate first and second channels, the first and second projections providing a snap fit engagement for retaining the first and second elongate tubular support members within the elongate first and second channels.
  • 2. The table of claim 1 wherein each tubular cross member has a distal portion adjacent each end thereof and a central portion between each distal portion, the distal portion having a distal outer diameter and the central portion having a central outer diameter which is greater than the distal outer diameter.
  • 3. The table of claim 2 wherein the first and second elongate tubular support members include apertures adjacent opposing ends thereof, the apertures having an inner diameter greater than the distal outer diameter of the tubular cross members, each of the apertures for receiving one of the distal portions of one of the tubular cross members.
  • 4. The table of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of collars, each of the collars disposed on one of the distal portions of the tubular cross members and adjacent a corresponding one of the apertures in the first and second support members.
  • 5. The table of claim 4 wherein the collars have an inside diameter greater than the distal outer diameter and less than the central outer diameter of the tubular cross members, and wherein each distal portion of the tubular cross members is received within one of the collars, the collars for maintaining the tubular cross members in a substantially laterally fixed relationship with respect to the first and second elongate tubular support members.
  • 6. The table of claim 1 wherein the first and second projections are staggered with respect to each other on opposing sides of the first and second channels.
  • 7. The table of claim 1 further comprising an indentation adjacent each corner of the bottom surface of the table top, each indentation providing support for the top surface of the table top in each corner thereof.
  • 8. The table of claim 1 wherein the first and second elongate tubular support members comprise substantially cylindrical tubular members.
  • 9. The table of claim 1 wherein the first and second elongate tubular support members comprise substantially D-shaped tubular members.
  • 10. The table of claim 1 further comprising a cradle disposed between the elongate first and second channels in the bottom surface of the table top, the cradle for supporting one of the tubular cross members to reduce deflection of the cross member when a load is disposed on the table top.
  • 11. A lightweight collapsible table comprising:a table top having a top surface, a bottom surface, elongate side edges, and substantially parallel first and second elongate channels disposed in the bottom surface adjacent the elongate side edges; a support frame attached to the bottom surface, the support frame including: first and second elongate tubular members; and pivotal leg assemblies attached between the first and second elongate tubular members; the bottom surface of the table top having first and second projections at least partially overhanging the first and second elongate channels on opposing sides of each of the first and second elongate channels, the first and second projections for providing a snap fit of the first and second elongate tubular members into the first and second elongate channels.
  • 12. The table of claim 11 wherein each of the pivotal leg assemblies include leg sections and a tubular cross member attached to the leg sections, each tubular cross member pivotally disposed between the first and second elongate tubular members.
  • 13. The table of claim 12 further comprising a cradle in the bottom surface of the table top substantially centrally disposed between the elongate tubular members, the cradle for urging a central portion of the tubular cross member away from the bottom surface of the table top when a load is disposed on the table top.
  • 14. The table of claim 12 further comprising:each tubular cross member having a distal portion adjacent each end thereof and a central portion between each distal portion, the distal portion having a distal outer diameter and the central portion having a central outer diameter which is greater than the distal outer diameter; and the first and second elongate tubular members having apertures therein adjacent opposing ends thereof, each of the apertures having an inner diameter sufficient to receive and allow rotation of one of the distal portions of the first or second elongate tubular members therein, thereby enabling pivotal rotation of the leg assemblies with respect to the first and second elongate tubular members.
  • 15. The table of claim 14, further comprising:collars having an inside diameter greater than the distal outer diameter of the distal portions of the tubular cross members and less than the central outer diameter of the central portion of the tubular cross members; and each of the distal portions of the tubular cross members received within one of the collars.
  • 16. The table of claim 11 further comprising an indentation adjacent each corner of the bottom surface of the table top to provide support for the top surface of the table top.
  • 17. The table of claim 11 wherein the first and second projections are staggered with respect to each other on opposing sides of the first and second elongate channels.
  • 18. A collapsible table comprising:an elongate table top having: a substantially planar top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the bottom surface having: opposing elongate first and second side edges; opposing end edges disposed substantially perpendicular to the first and second side edges; an elongate first cylindrical channel formed as an integral portion of the bottom surface of the table top, the first cylindrical channel adjacent and substantially parallel to the elongate first side edge, the elongate first cylindrical channel having a first inside radius; and an elongate second cylindrical channel formed as an integral portion of the bottom surface of the table top, the second cylindrical channel adjacent and substantially parallel to the elongate second side edge, the elongate second cylindrical channel having a second inside radius; and a support frame attached to the bottom surface of the table top, the support frame including: a first elongate cylindrical support member received within the elongate first cylindrical channel and secured to the elongate first cylindrical channel at a plurality of attachment points, the first elongate cylindrical support member having a first outside radius equivalent to or slightly smaller than the first inside radius of the elongate first cylindrical channel; a second elongate cylindrical support member received within the elongate second cylindrical channel and secured to the elongate second cylindrical channel at a plurality of attachment points, the second elongate cylindrical support member having a second outside radius equivalent to or slightly smaller than the second inside radius of the elongate second cylindrical channel; and first and second pivotal leg assemblies, each having: a cross member pivotally attached to and spanning a space between the first and second elongate cylindrical support members; and one or more leg sections attached to the cross member.
  • 19. A collapsible table comprising:an elongate table top having: a substantially planar top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the bottom surface having: opposing elongate first and second side edges; opposing end edges disposed substantially perpendicular to the first and second side edges; an elongate first cylindrical channel adjacent and substantially parallel to the elongate first side edge, the elongate first cylindrical channel having a first inside radius; and an elongate second cylindrical channel which is substantially parallel to the elongate second side edge, the elongate second cylindrical channel having a second inside radius; and a support frame attached to the bottom surface of the table top, the support frame including: a first elongate cylindrical support member received within the elongate first cylindrical channel, the first elongate cylindrical support member having a first outside radius equivalent to or slightly smaller than the first inside radius of the elongate first cylindrical channel; a second elongate cylindrical support member received within the elongate second cylindrical channel, the second elongate cylindrical support member having a second outside radius equivalent to or slightly smaller than the second inside radius of the elongate second cylindrical channel; and first and second pivotal leg assemblies, each having: a cross member pivotally attached to and spanning a space between the first and second elongate cylindrical support members; and one or more leg sections attached to the cross member, wherein the bottom surface of the elongate table top further comprises first and second projections at least partially overhanging the elongate first and second cylindrical channels on opposing sides of each of the elongate first and second cylindrical channels, the first and second projections for providing a snap fit of the first and second elongate cylindrical support members into the elongate first and second cylindrical channels.
  • 20. The table of claim 19 wherein the first and second projections are staggered with respect to each other on opposing sides of the elongate first and second cylindrical channels.
  • 21. A collapsible table comprising:an elongate table top having: a substantially planar top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the bottom surface having: opposing elongate first and second side edges; an elongate first cylindrical channel formed as an integral portion of the bottom surface of the table top, the first cylindrical channel adjacent and substantially parallel to the elongate first side edge; and an elongate second cylindrical channel formed as an integral portion of the bottom surface of the table top, the second cylindrical channel adjacent and substantially parallel to the elongate second side edge; and a first elongate cylindrical frame member received within the elongate first cylindrical channel substantially parallel to the elongate first side edge of the bottom surface of the table top; a second elongate cylindrical frame member received within the elongate second cylindrical channel substantially parallel to the elongate second side edge of the bottom surface of the table top; and first and second pivotal leg assemblies, each having: a cross member pivotally attached to and spanning a space between the first and second elongate cylindrical frame members; and one or more leg sections attached to the cross member.
  • 22. The collapsible table of claim 21 wherein the bottom surface of the elongate table top further comprises first and second projections at least partially overhanging the elongate first and second cylindrical channels, the first and second projections for providing a snap fit of the first and second elongate cylindrical frame members into the elongate first and second cylindrical channels.
Parent Case Info

This application is a continuation-in part of application Ser. No. 10/021,140, filed Dec. 12, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,644.

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Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 10/021140 Dec 2001 US
Child 10/272117 US